Lock-out device for telephones.



(a No. 821,860. I PATENTED MAY 29, 1906.

R. G. M. HASTINGS & T. MATHENY.

LOOK-OUT DEVICE FOR TELEPHONBS.

APPLICATION FILED APB..4. 1905.

3 SHEETS-311EET l k mum 1 IIIIIHMIJ w Q a g KQM 1 Witnesses j r lnventom Attorneys ,800. PATENTED'MAY 29, 1906.

R. G. M. HASTINGS & T. MATHENY LOOK-OUT DEVICE FOR TBLEPHONES.

APPLIGATION FILED APR.4. 1905.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

- lnvencOrJ.

Attofneys Witnesses PATENTED MAY 29, 1906.

R. M. HASTINGS & T. MATHBNY.

LOCK-OUT DEVICE FOR TELEPHONES. I

APPLICATION FILED APRMi. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 Witnesses Attorneys QVINGS and Tnins'rou MATHENY,

.' the United States,

-b a person whose receiver has been pre- To all whom/it may-concern.-

.fication.

vide a novel form ed but in the appendediclaims, it derstood that various changes 1n the vantages of the invention.

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFTCE. RUBEN o. M. HASTLNGS 'AND'THURSTONMATHENY, OF ATHENS, OHIO.

ocK-ouTpEvnosFoR! realest-towns.

Y No. 821.800.

Be it known that we, RUBEN citizens of county of Athens and Telephones,

This invention relates to telephone select-.-

ing and lockout devices.

-' One object of the invention is to' provide mechanism for use on party-lines by which it will be impossible .hear a conversation for any subscriber to overbetweerr two connected subscribers on the same line and to lace such mechanism under the control of the calling subscriber. 1 Y

Afu'rther object of theinvention is to pro- I of selecting means whereby any subscriber along the line may unlock the receiver-hook of any other subscriber in order to open communication with the latter while the hooks of all of.the' other subscribers on the line remain locked. p

A still further object of the invention is to v providea circuit-breaking device-sthat is in part controlled b the receiver-hook look, so

that-said circuitreaker can only be move v ly removed from the receiver-hook, and the y me cannot be ersons.

A still further object of the invention is to 1 improve, simplify, and'cheapen selectors of this character. and to provide mechanisms existing telephonelines without material change in the connections.

With these and other objects in view, as will more fully hereinafter appear, the invention consists in certain nove features of constructionand arran ement of parts, hereinafter fully describe companying drawings, and particularlypomtbein unorm, proportions, size, and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from, the spirit or sacrificing any of the addrawings, Figure 1 is In the accompanying two stations on a a diagram illustrating Specification of Letters Patent. Application fl ed A na-190g. seatin 7.53.846.

a M. insi iresiding at Athens, in-the tate of Ohio have in anew and useful Lock-Out Device for of which the following a spec i-T (1-, tion of the connection tampered with by other.

illustrated in the ao-' Patented may 29, 1906.

I party-line. provided out mechanism arrang accordJanos with the invention. Fig. 2 "is a detail -elevation station, showing movement. F g.3 is a similar view showing called subscriber after the completionof aselecting movement. i view of one Ofthe-sWitch-bOXesat-asubstation. Fi 5 is-a .detail pers portion 0 a switch-box. view of the switch for breaking the selectingf formcf circuit-olosing means.

Similar characters of reference loyed to indicatecorresponding arts throughout the several figures-of the raw dinary lines of tem, and at each subscriber s station is a batter B, a transmitter T, a receiver R, a callbell C, and a magneto-generator My Each station is also provided with a receiver-hook H of the usual type,

between the receiverhook and the'line-wire' 11, this connectingrupted by contacts 14 and 15, the latter being in the form of disposed that the talking-circuit and callingoircuit of every telephone is connected to the main line. In addition to these two linewires, one or other of'which may be in the form of a ground-return, a selectin -wire 16 is employed, this wire extending tion to station and being connected in series with selecting mechanism at each one of the subscribers stations, the circuit being completed by the line-wirell or ground, so that vices of each station will be operated, the selecting movement being the same at each station and continuing until the mechanism at the station to be called has arrived at the proper point. The mechanism, as illustrated in Fig. 1, includes an electromagnet 17, having a serial connection with the wire 16, this line including two contacts '18 and 19, normally connected with each other. The ener with selecting and lock-' ed'and constructed in a movable arm normally so om stawhen the line is energized the selecting de-' ofthe mechanism at" a sub- 1 'thejpartsduring' 1a selecting "the position of the-parts at .the'stationgof. a

'60. Fig.4 is a sectional plan circuit. Fig. 7." is 5:; detail view of a modified 7 are 0111- ings.

\ The main-line wires 10 and 11 form the or- I a bridging-bell party-line sysand the connections 2 illustrated are conventional with the eXcep-' wire. 12 being'in'the present instance intergizing device is the battery B, which is connected by a wire 21 to a switch-point 22,

which may be connected by a switch 23 to a local wire 24, leading to the selecting-wire 16.

The switch normally rests in contact with a switch-point 25, connected by a wire26 to the battery, so that the'battery is normally disconnected and the circuit of the selecting wire completed by wire-24, switch 23-, contact 25, andjwire 16; but'by moving the switch at any one station .to the contact 22 the'battery Will be connected the circuit,

and all of the electromagnets 17 on the line vvilhbe energized, the person at the callingstatlon closing the circuita number of times corresponding to the number of the station to be called.

At a point adj acent to the receiver-hook of each station is a pivot-stud 30, on which is mounted a receiver-hook-locking yoke 31, arranged tov receive the hook, and said yoke is provided with a shoulder 32, with which engages one arm 33 of a three-armed lever that is pivoted on a stud 34, all of these parts being arranged within the switch-box of the A second arm 15 of this lever is telephone. the switch-arm, which maybe moved to enga e with the contact 14-v to establish the leca talkin and signaling circuits, and, as before state these circuits are normally closed. The third arm 35 of this lever is yieldingly held in the position shown in Fi 1 by means of a spring 36, this movement eing limited in one direction by a stop-pin 37, and when the arm 35 is operated upon by the selecting mechanism the other two arms will' be movedone. to release the shoulder 32 and the other to engage with contact 14andcomplete the load-circuits ofthe telephone.

At each station are arranged bearings for a spindle or. arbor 40, that is provided at one end with a pointer 41., extending through the wall of the casing. and arrangedto travel over a dial 42, bearing numerals or other designating characters 0 a number e ual to the number of stations on the party-line, the dial being preferably protected by a transparent panel. At a point within the casing the arbor carries two arms43 and 43, and while all of the pointers, dials, and arms 43 are the same and all stand in the same position when the-line is not. in use the arms 43 will be arranged in different angular positions at each station. These arms 43 are adapted to engage the arms 35 when the mechanism is op.- erated, and thus effect 'the, unlocking of the receiver-hooks and the closing of the local circuits. The arbor also carries a ratchetwheel 45 having teeth of a numberequal to the number of numerals or other characters on the dial, and with said ratchet-wheel engages apawl 46, that is carried at one end of an armature 47, arranged within the held of Around the shaft '50 is. coiled a small.

two contacts engaged. The upper end of the A contact-arm 19 is extended within a small recess formed at the lower portion of the locking-yoke 31, and when the latter is in the position shown in Fig. 2 it is impossible to. move thecontact-arm out of position to break the 4 circuit, this being accomplished only when the yoke swingson its pivot as the receiver-hook rises.

tact-armli) is a catch 54, having in. itslower face a recess 55, which may be adjusted to a position over a stationary pin 56'-when. the contact-arm is moved out to break the cir- 52, and when t e circuit 'isfthus brokennoperson along the; line can operate the selecting mechanism. From the upper portion of the catch projects a can t-.58, with which; may engage a pin 59, carried by the-locking-yoke' 31, the parts being so arran ed that whenthe yoke swings on its pin30 t e pin 59 willen gage the rounded cam 58 and move the catch to release position, thus permitting the spring Pivoted to the upper pbrtion of the .con-

cuit, and when so engaged the arm will be I held outward a ainst the stress of the spring 52 toa'gain restore the contact 19 to circuitclosing position.

Tracing now the circuits, that ifat each local station the arm 43. is in engagement with the arm 35-and arm 15-is closing the circuits by engagement withathe contact 14, arm 33 will be raised above the shoulder 32, and the yoke'31 will be unlocked, although retained in its lowered position by the weight of, the receiver onthe receiverhook. Contacts 18-and 19 are closed, and the switch '23 is inengagement with contact 25, thus closing the selecting-line, while the battery B is cut out. k

if any subscriber wishes to communicate with another, he removes his receiver fromthe hook, and this results in upward movement of the yoke 31, the latter thus passing beyond the control of the lockingarm 33 at that station, and the-yoke engages under the arm 33 and holds the latter inits adjusted osition, so that the arm 15 is still retained in a position to engage contact 14; Thesub- I 1 5 it will be seen 1 ceiver-hooks at said stations and'positively 43; but at the completion of the operation only that arm corresponding to station I been'established either of the connected sub,- scrlbers may turn the handled crank 51 and the latter to engage contact 22, thus con- .mediately energizes .all of the electromag- 47 and pawls 46 will be moved, rotating the v.ceiver-hook sw1tch'.- At the same time the "14 and the calling and talking every telephone, except that of the calling subscriber then moves the switch 23 back to- -being repeated .if this station is No.

ipleted six times and each of the electromag-. nets will be energized six times and will rotiononly will the arm 15 be moved to engage .here be mentioned that if any subscriber by revolving the shaft 50 move the contact scriber then'grasps the operating-handle 60,

19 away from the contact 18, thus wholly which is connected to the switch 23 and moves any other person from energizing the same. When so moved, the catch 54 will engage the pin 55 and the parts will be locked'with the circuit broken until the receiver is again placed on the hook, whereupon the pin 59 in descending engages the cam 58 and releases the catch, allowing spring 52 to again press the arm 19 into engagement with contact 18 and complete the circuit of the selecting-line. After the conversation is finished the operat ing-handle .60 is moved to make and break the circuit again until the hands or pointers 41 at all of the stationsare again restored to zero position, at which time the line will be again opened for use by any other person.

In Fig. 7 is illustrated a slightly-modified nectingthe battery the line 16. This. im-

nets 17, and the latter will attract armatures I from engagement with the arms35 at all of the stations along the line, and the arms 33 at all of said stations will fall" against. the shoulders 32, looking the repreventing any upward movement of the rearms 15 are moved to disengage the contacts circuit of subscriber, is broken. :The position of the arts at this time is shown in Flg. 2 The controlling the locking and unlocking movements of the receiver-hook, this in the present instance comprising a disk having projections 43 and 43 for engagement with the arm35 and a counterbalance or poise 43 being employed at the opposite side of the disk. Having thus describedthe invention, what is claimed is- 1. In telephone system, a pluralityof substations connected on a partyline, a receiverhook at each'station, a receiver-hook-locking contact. 25 and then again to contact 22 for a second energizing of the line, the operation a number of times, depending on the number of the station to be called, and

6 the circuit will be comtate theratchet-wheels and arbors, causing corresponding movement ofall of the arms No. 6 35 and at that staa pivota ly-mounted lever having one arm movable into engagement with the shoulder, the second arm of said lever having a give way connection, and a selector arranged to engage the second arm ofthe'lever.

2. In telephone systems, stationsconnected on a party-line, a receiver "*hookarranged at each station, a receiverhook-locking member provided with a projecting-shoulder, a pivotally-mounted lever having one arm engaging the shoulder and a Willrest against the arm contact 14 and the 'arm 33 be moved to unlock the yoke 31, as shown in Fig. 3. It may should remove his receiver from the hook during this calling operation'the shoulder 32 may bind against the end of the arm 33. The yieldable spring 36 then permits the arm 35 to move inward and allow the free passage of the arm 43, so that-the mechanism will not be stopped. At the completion of the selecting movement the calling and the called stations are the only two that are connected to the line, and the calling subscriber may then turn the magneto M and ring up the called station; but the bells at the other stations will not be sounded. The subscriber at thecalled station then removes his receiver from the hook, and the talking-circuits are connected, the battery B being employed for the primary of theinductorium, as usual, and in this connection it is to be observed that-the customary battery may be employed as a source of energy for the selecting means, inasmuch as its use for this purpose will not in terfere with'its employment for telephonic communication. After communication has way connection, and a step-by-step selector yieldably-mounted arm to efl'ect release of the receiver-hook when the latter is depressed by the weight of the receiver.

3. In telephone selecting mechanism, a receiver-hook-engaging member, means for locking the same in osition, a selectingmech anism controlling t e movement of the lockselecting mechanisms are connected in, series, and a switch for opening and closing" the line, said switch being under the control of the receiverhook-engaging member.

' 4. In 'a telephone system, an electromagnetic selecting means ateach station, a selector-line to which all of the mechanisms are connected in series, -a switch arranged in Mac line, a spring tending normally to hold break-ing the selecting-line and preventing construction of ratchet-operated member for member rovided with a promoting shoulder a plurality of subhaving a member arranged to engage the second yieldably-mounted arm having a give- I ing means, a selecting-line to which all of the I by th and the receiver-hook for preventing move- I h testlmony that We. claim the foregoing 1o the'same in, closed position, a catch carried as our own We have hereto afiixed outslgnae switch, means With-Which said-catch I may engage to retain the switch in open p0- tures in the presence of two Witnesses.

sition, a cam-carried by. the catch and means Y under the control of the selectinghnechanism f ment of th'e'switch'while the receiver is on the Witnesses:

hook, and for releasing the catch when the C. WILLY HASTINGS, receiver is replaced onthe hook. E. T. ROSE. 

